Chelsea Gold Marks New Era for Sustainable Sympathy Floristry
At The Bath Flower School, we’ve long believed that farewell flowers should be as unique as the life they’re honouring. Gone are the days when sympathy floristry meant uniformity, floral foam, and stiff, formal arrangements. We see flowers for funerals as a final act of love - personal, expressive, and, increasingly sustainable.
This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show proved that the floristry world is finally catching up. In a ground breaking moment, the Farewell Flowers collective made history by winning a Gold Medal—the first ever awarded for a sustainable funeral flower installation in the show’s 112-year history.
Their display wasn’t just beautiful—it was profound. At the heart of it stood a willow coffin, adorned with abundant, seasonal British flowers. These blooms cascaded into a soft, meadow-like scene that blended grief with beauty, stillness with celebration. No floral foam. No single-use plastics. Just fresh flowers, natural materials, and meaning in every detail.
What made the exhibit truly powerful were the personal touches: a pair of walking boots filled with garden-style flowers, a violin crafted from petals and stems, a living wreath. Each element invited reflection and connection, reminding us that funerals don’t need to follow a rigid formula. They can be as expressive and individual as the people we’re saying goodbye to.
The collective’s win was more than a medal - it was a statement! It marked a shift in public consciousness, proving that funeral flowers can be sustainable and stunning. It showed that our industry can - and must - evolve with changing values, especially as more families turn to natural burials, celebrant led ceremonies, and eco conscious alternatives that better reflect the lives of their loved ones.
Image from Farewell Flowers - Andrew Gilpin Photography
Leading with Heart and Conscience
This is exactly why we developed our Sustainable Sympathy Flowers course at The Bath Flower School. It’s a two day, hands on experience designed to give florists the skills, confidence, and creative freedom to meet this growing demand.
You’ll learn how to make naturally styled, foam free funeral arrangements using techniques that are not only sustainable, but also adaptable and commercially viable. We’ll cover everything from living wreaths and sympathy sheafs to casket top arrangements, all while encouraging you to explore your own style and values.
You’ll also gain thoughtful insight from our guest speaker, Sally Cook of Bath Natural Burial Meadow. Sally shares her knowledge of natural burials and how families are choosing more sustainable, personal ways to say goodbye. She offers a gentle behind the scenes look at what’s involved, creating space for open conversation - no question is too small. This session is always a grounding and memorable part of the course.
Working with the Seasons
At the heart of our teaching is a love for seasonal, locally grown flowers. As always at The Bath Flower School, the flowers take centre stage. We carefully select the freshest blooms available and when we can source them from our trusted network of British growers. This supports small flower farms and helps your arrangements reflect the natural rhythm and richness of each season.
Join the Movement
The message from Chelsea is loud and clear: sustainable sympathy floristry is no longer niche, it’s necessary! And as florists, we have the opportunity to lead this change with creativity, compassion, and care.
Whether you're a beginner looking to specialise or a seasoned florist ready to pivot, our Sustainable Sympathy Flowers course offers a chance to align your work with your values and give families something truly meaningful at life’s most tender moments.
Let flowers say it all
In moments of loss, flowers have the quiet power to speak when words fall short. By embracing a more thoughtful, sustainable approach, we’re not just creating arrangements - we’re honouring lives in a way that feels true, kind, and lasting. We’d love to welcome you to The Bath Flower School to be part of this important shift.